ATLANTA (AP) -- A freshman state lawmaker from Cherokee County has apologized for introducing a bill that would have loosened restrictions on sex offender in Georgia.

Republican Rep. Sam Moore, who took office earlier this month, introduced a bill last week aimed at eliminating discriminatory and vague laws against loitering, which allow police officers to demand identification without cause.

The bill would have repealed loitering restrictions on sex offenders at schools and drew sharp criticism.

Moore delivered a speech on the House floor Monday calling the proposed legislation a "rookie mistake," and saying that in filing the bill, he thought he was fulfilling a campaign promise to hit the ground running.

Although Moore took responsibility for the bill, he said fellow lawmakers could have mentored him instead of railing against him.

News Release: Associated Press News

ATLANTA (AP) -- Members of the House GOP leadership are speaking out in opposition to a bill sponsored by a fellow Republican, condemning it as a move that would loosen sex offender restrictions in Georgia.

House Majority Leader Larry O'Neal called the bill "one of the most egregious pieces of legislation" in a floor speech Friday.

Rep. John Meadows, chairman of the powerful Rules Committee, vowed it would never pass through his committee for a vote.

Moore tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the bill's goal is to eliminate discriminatory and vague laws against loitering, which allow police officers to demand identification without cause. In doing so, the bill would repeal loitering restrictions on sex offenders at schools.

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